Subscribe to this blog

Follow by Email

Search This Blog

Pages

It's All Good!

John and Marian both had their regular two-month checkups today. And they both continue to do extremely well on CAL-101. Their blood counts are all normal. And their ct scans showed that the lymph nodes are still shrinking. It has been a while since lymph nodes have even been mentioned during regular exams. They are the furthest thing from our minds right now, since they are not palpable or visible at all - and haven't been for quite some time. But Dr. Flinn said Marian only has two nodes in her entire body that are not normal. And they are only very slightly larger than normal. (A normal lymph node would measure 1.5 centimeters. Marian has two that are 2.3 cm.) John has several that have not reached the normal status, but they are still shrinking (not just stabilized). Although sometimes when nodes get as large as John's were, they never completely return to their normal pre-CLL size. Chemotherapy can alter lymph nodes permanently as well. A slight enlargement can be the result of scar tissue on the nodes. The important thing is that they have shrunk to normal (in some cases) and almost normal (in others), and they are not causing any problems or discomfort. The only CLL symptom John has is being extra tired at the end of the day. But he gets up between 4:00 and 5:00 every morning. And he has a lot of stress in his business. I would be amazed if he were not worn out in the evening!

John is nearing the two year mark on CAL-101 (in May). June will mark the fifth anniversary of his CLL diagnosis. Marian was diagnosed four years ago this month and has been receiving CAL-101 for approximately 15 months. Our office visits these days are more like parties. I doubt that Dr. Flinn has any happier patients and/or caregivers than the three of us.

Comments

Hi my name is Kim Tanner. I am a happy patient of Dr. Flinn also. I have been on CAL 101 for over 2 years. I have lymphoma and taking 300 mg a day. My miracle drug. I am from McMinnville and saw your blog and was wondering if it was the same doctor flinn at Sarah Cannon. He is the best. KIM

Yes, Kim! We see Dr. Flinn at Sarah Cannon. Same doctor. Cal-101 has been John's miracle drug too. And his mom's as well. John has been taking it for 2 years this month, too! I think he began on May 27 if my memory is serving me (which it often does not these days). Good thing I document dates on my blog so I can refer back!

It is good to hear from you. Thanks for leaving a comment. I am so happy that you are having success with CAL-101 also! We have good friends from McMinnville and just recently moved from Murfreesboro to WV. But we are still in Dr. Flinn's care and drive back every eight weeks to see him. It's an easy drive. Only about six and a half hours of driving. He is well worth the drive. We wouldn't even think of changing doctors at this point. I completely agree that he's the best!

More than anything else, I want to be a true disciple of Christ; cultivating love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion, unselfishness and humility into every aspect of my life. I am happily married to my knight in shining armor and best friend, John. I am proud to be Danny's mom and Rebecca's mother-in-law. I love being Grandma Shari to my four grandchildren. I am a homemaker, volunteer, writer and "foodie." I love to cook and eat great food. And since 2007, I have been learning all I can about CLL in order to be the best patient advocate possible for my husband as he battles Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.